THE+THEATRE+OF+THE+ABSURD


 * THE THEATRE OF THE ABSURD **

Having read the handbook about the origins, beliefs and characteristics of the Theatre of the Absurd and performed some of the workshops on memory and language, write a 300 word manifesto for members. A manifesto is a statement of beliefs- so Marx and Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto or in many Christian churches, a creed (or statement of beliefs) is similar to a manifesto. You may choose to write in an Absurdist style. As far as possible refer to concrete detail. I've given you an opening sentence. I'd like this completed by Friday, February 12th.

MY MANIFESTO. Nothing! Nothing! All is nothingness. God is dead. He died in the ovens of Auschwitz, in the ashes of Hiroshima. For man to believe there is any force that controls our own behaviour, let alone history, then he is as foolish as Sisyphus... 

Next, I'd like you to post on your page, a clip from You Tube that you think typifies something of the philosophy or beliefs of the Theatre of the Absurd. I'd like you to write a 200 word explanation. Here is mine: media type="youtube" key="Ur3CQE8xB3c" height="344" width="425" align="center"

This scene, for me, typifies many beliefs of the Absurdist playwrights. The first is, the lack of identity. Here Malkovich's identity is completely fractured- masculine and feminine, star and servant. In short, he has no idea who he is. This reminds me so much of the Martins' marriage scene from the Bald Prima Donna. The second is the breakdown of language for communication. Even though the intention and the meaning of the scene are very clear, the only word uttered is "Malkovich". One need only think of Lucky's speech or indeed much of Waiting for Godot, where language is used to frustrate communication or to fill a silence- anything rather than face the void of human existence. 